Online Retailers Begin Selling Windows Home Server

Buy.com is selling Windows Home Server for $170.999, but was 'temporarily sold out' as of Tuesday morning Pacific time, as was online retailer PCs For Everyone, which has it listed for $199. NewEgg.com shows the product as in stock and lists it at $189.99.

Launched in September, Windows Server lets users connect multiple PCs in the same household and allows them to store, manage, back up, and remotely access their digital content.

Windows Home Server won't be sold at retail, but through Microsoft's OEM partners led by Hewlett-Packard, whose Media Smart Server is scheduled for release later this year. In August, online retailers leaked pricing information for the 500 GB HP MediaSmart EX470 ($596) and the 1 terabyte HP MediaSmart EX475 ($745).

Other OEM partners with plans to release Windows Home Server-based appliances include Fujitsu-Siemens, Gateway, Iomega, LaCie and Medion.

Last month, Microsoft issued its first update for Windows Home Server, which fixed a number of minor glitches that have materialized since its release, including issues with home network router/firewall and broadband providers' software.

Meanwhile, on Monday, managers of the online and offline MSDN Subscription program said their acquisitions team is working with the product group to include Windows Home Server in the MSDN offering, although they didn't specify when this would happen.